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Pass It On Participant 12, Jenny Milchman, Morristown, NJ

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:57:12 +0000

I met Jenny Milchman during the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. Jenny sent me an email and video of her Pass it On effort.

“I hope it might be a little cool to see your book being received off in the farthest climes of NJ.”

Watch the video here:

Jenny

She also shared a second copy of the novel with Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ.

I appreciate Jenny passing on two copies of Never Eighteen.

Find out more about Jenny:

Jenny Milchman is a literary suspense writer from New Jersey. Her debut novel, COVER OF SNOW, is forthcoming from Ballantine in early 2013. Her short story ‘The Closet’ will be published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine in 2012. Another short story ‘The Very Old Man’ has been an Amazon bestseller, and the short work ‘Black Sun on Tupper Lake’ will appear in the anthology ADIRONDACK MYSTERIES II.

Jenny is the Chair of International Thriller Writers‘ Debut Authors Program. She is also the founder of Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day, which was celebrated in all 50 states and four foreign countries by over 350 bookstores this year. Jenny hosts the Made It Moments forum on her blog, which has featured more than 150 international bestsellers, Edgar winners, and independent authors. Jenny hosts the literary series Writing Matters, which attracts guests coast-to-coast and has received national media attention. She teaches writing and publishing for New York Writers Workshop and The Writers Circle.

Pass It On participant number 11, Hart Johnson, Ann Arbor, MI

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:25:16 +0000

I met Hart during the ABNA (Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest) a few years back. Hart shared this on her blog.

“I have been looking forward to reading this book since I first heard about it, so when Megan asked who wanted to be a part of her promotional tour, I jumped at the chance. The theme is clever and fitting for the book.

Never Eighteen, currently resting in Ann Arbor, MI.

You see, Austin has Leukemia. He was a strong, popular athlete. But now he is somewhat shrunken, tires easily. And he’s on a mission. He wants to right some wrongs—only one of which really seemed his fault, but he’s been watching people. There is a soft undertone of jealousy—people who HAVE life ahead of them who are wasting it. But mostly there is just a need to make a difference. To leave the world around him just a little better than it was before.

Megan says the original title was Mending Fences. I like the new title better because it carries the darkness that underlies death. But Mending Fences is very fitting for what Austin is trying to do.

I loved this book. It was a wonderful mix of sadness and hope. The characters were very real—Austin is perhaps more introspective than most boys, but I think knowing you are dying will do that.

Austin’s journey to get people to engage in their own lives again hits a ton of teen (and adult) issues, but briefly enough and softly enough that they don’t drain us. I think for teens this offers a wonderful chance to talk about some big stuff, and whatever their situation, see… it could be worse… and even if it IS worse, they can handle it with grace.

So I thank Megan for giving me the chance to read!

As for the Pass It On…

The marketing campaign was to SHARE this book, even as Austin is trying to share in the futures of people who will still be around. I knew when I first heard the idea that I wanted to share it with one of my teacher friends, preferably someone who keeps BOOKS in the classroom, so teens can have a chance to read it to.

I scanned the list and the first to come to mind was Chary—she is a fellow Burrower who teaches at a High School in New York City. She said she did indeed keep a library in her classroom for students to read from and it was decided.

I decided to sweeten the pot, I would add another YA book I have loved recently. I am a hoarder, but isn’t it really better to share books with people who will get them read by dozens than keep them in a stack on my shelves?

Headed to a classroom New York City

So today this pair, Never Eighteen and Gae Polisner’s Pull of Gravity, will be shipped to New York City to share in Chary’s High School classroom.

I will have Chary post a picture when the books make it to her, and I thank Megan and Gae for writing such amazing books that I want to share them like this!”

I thank Hart, and hope Chary and her students enjoy the book!!

More info on Hart:

Hart Johnson is an aspiring author of main stream suspense, some adult some YA… She’s written seven suspense novels and two mysteries. She’s also written a cozy mysteries series under the name Alyse Carlson. The series has a gardening theme and takes place in Roanoke, Virginia, starring 30-something public relations guru Cam Harris, her crazy friends and family, and her eccentric colleagues at the Roanoke Garden Society.

The Watery Tart alternately rules the world from a small tropical island, performs lingerie training on very bad boys, and tries to tempt all of you into playing just a little bit harder–perhaps even joining the Naked World Domination movement. Her online persona is rarely serious and a little outrageous, but tries very hard to walk the PG line with her antics.

The person behind all these faces has a day job doing academic research related to health disparities at a ginormous Midwest University.

Where to find Hart online:

Water Tart

The Burrow

Pass It On, Participant 10, Erica Olsen, Strum Wisconsin

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:07:35 +0000

Participant 10, Erica Olsen is a fellow writer I met through the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest three years ago. To pass on Never Eighteen, she decided to do a giveaway on her blog. Here’s her post:

“My friend Megan Bostic’s book came out this week. You should buy it. Really, you should. Go here to do so. We’ll wait.

What? You want to know what it’s about first? Just kidding – I know you do. I was super lucky to not only (virtually) know Megan and get to learn a lot about this book before it released, I also got an early copy as part of her Pass It On promotion. It’s a short-ish, quick, emotional read, packed with real situations and characters that make you care. Here’s its website (with a really cool book trailer).

Megan also has her own website (admit it, you know you wish you had her hair. and eyes. and, well, book contract, but you can’t tell that from the picture…) and blog.

So, go buy it now. Where? Here.

Okay, fine, I’ll give you one (maybe). Tell me in the comments – what’s one thing you wish you did before you turned 18 (or, if you’d rather, something you’re really happy you did before you turned 18)? I’ll pick a winner on Sunday!”

Erica (and Christy, her blog partner) got some really great answers, which you can see here.

I want to thank Erica for participating in Pass It On.

Pass It On Participant 9, Maxwell Cynn, Matthews, NC

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:37:26 +0000

Max will tell you below how we met, so I won’t be repetitive. I will tell you he is a very sweet guy and talented writer and full of awesome. He wrote a review of Never Eighteen, then his “pass it on” idea follows.

Oh, and read up where you can find Max and read his stuff at the bottom.

“I recently had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of Megan Bostic’s debut novel NEVER EIGHTEEN. I met Megan the first year I entered the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards and I’ve followed her career since. NEVER EIGHTEEN was published by New York giant Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Megan invited me to be one of fifty friends and family to participate in a unique grassroots campaign to promote her book.

NEVER EIGHTEEN is a poignant story of a young man who will never see his eighteenth birthday. Austin Parker decides not to undergo another round of chemotherapy. He courageously accepts his impending death and vows to make a difference in the lives of those around him before the end comes. Austin has a bucket list, and one special person he knows he can depend on to help him in his last mission.

I was reminded of Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther, a classic published in 1949 and read in schools by generations of young readers. That book touched me in a powerful way when I was young. NEVER EIGHTEEN could very well become a comparable book of this millennium. The prose is fresh, real, and at times raw. Megan has an amazing knack of writing with the voice of a seventeen year old male.

The thoughts, emotions, and actions of Austin Parker are intense and believable. I was immediately drawn into his life, the lives of those close to him, and his mission of spreading hope. The author shows both insight into the culture of her young adult audience, and a wisdom far beyond her own years. The emotionally difficult subject is handled with thoughtful honesty and life affirming hope. I would recommend NEVER EIGHTEEN to any older teen or young adult.

As I said, I received NEVER EIGHTEEN as part of a special grass roots promotion. The author is calling this promotion Project: Pass It On. It is a very fitting idea for the story. We were asked to pass the book on in some unique way and ask the recipient to do the same. I’ve thought a lot about how I would pass my copy of NEVER EIGHTEEN on, and to whom. So here’s the promotion part

As an author myself I decided to “Pass It On” to a fellow writer and ask them to do the same. As a unique twist I’ll ask each writer who reads NEVER EIGHTEEN to sign it, write a brief email to Megan which she can post on her blog about the experience and who they passed it to, and after 17 writer/readers the book will be returned to Megan as a keepsake.

If you would like to take part in this chain of writers send me an email. I will compile a list of 17 writers who will participate and track the books progress until its return to the author.”

I’m very excited about this. Let him know if you want to participate in Max’s Pass it On within my Pass it On. LOL.

Maxwell Cynn is a novelist, freelance writer, amateur coder, webmaster, and Indie publisher who writes deliciously romantic speculative fiction and blogs book reviews on a wide range of genres. Click on the book covers above for more information on each book. Click on the links below to find Max on you favorite social network. He is always pleased to hear from readers and fellow writers. His blog features reviews on the best eBooks available and advice for aspiring authors.

Here’s where to find Maxwell:

The Underground Press

Pass It On Participant 8, J Anderson Coats, Everett, WA

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:14:21 +0000

J Anderson Coats I met through the Class of 2k12 and have been lucky enough to have met this wonderful, funny, smart woman in real life for coffee. I picked a couple locals for my Pass It On Campaign, I didn’t want the rest of the U.S. to have all the fun. Here’s what she wrote about her participation on her blog:

“NEVER EIGHTEEN by my friend and colleague Megan Bostic is, at its heart, about action. It’s about doing stuff that needs doing. Hopefully I’ll never be in Austin’s position, with one eye on a ticking clock, but the takeaway is the same:

Act now. Someday it will be too late.

Everyone has things in their lives that need doing. Undone things. Things you’ve always meant to do but haven’t. That you want to do, but you’re afraid. That will be weird to do, so you put them off.

Act now.

There’s something you want to tell your dad? Call him. You’ve always wanted to apologize to that girl you terrorized in middle school? Google her. Your neighbor keeps his dog chained up in all weather? Call someone about it.

I wish I could keep this copy of NEVER EIGHTEEN forever. See how nice it looks on my shelf?

Thumbkitty agrees. “Monkey, let’s keep this butt-warmer–er, I mean book–forever.”

But a book like this is meant to be shared. This one will go to my mother, who will help it find a home in Eastern Washington University’s curriculum library where soon-to-be teachers can use it in classrooms to discuss ethics or philosophy or just to inspire.

My very own copy will arrive any day now.

Do something today. Maybe it will motivate someone else to do the same.”

J Anderson Coats book, The Wicked and the Just is debuting April 17, 2012 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (we’re publishing house sisters!!!)

Here’s where you can find her on the web:

Pass It On Participant 7, Kerry Dunn, Baton Rouge, LA

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:43:01 +0000

I met Kerry Dunn during the second ABNA contest three years ago. He has already garnered many a fan for me in Louisiana.

“Here in Louisiana, fans are already lining up to read Megan Messina Bostic‘s YA novel “Never Eighteen”, even though it won’t be released until January 17, 2012.”

He’s a goofball, but a talented one. His debut novel, Joe Peace will be released next month from Shelf Stealers. I’ve read part of it and it’s witty and raw, and I can’t wait to read the rest.

Pass It On Participant 3 Upddate from Katherine Longshore

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:29:35 +0000

A while back, my friend and fellow writer Katherine Longshore wrote a blog post about the Pass It On campaign, and how Never Eighteen had inspired her. She’s now done the “pass it on” portion of the campaign, and shared it with me.

“Dear Megan,

A little later than expected, but I wanted to let you know I’ve continued with my Pass It On.

My friend, writer and blogger, Beth Hull (http://bethhull.com/), commented on my blog post about Never Eighteen, and I asked if she wanted to read it. Her first question was, “On a scale of one to ten, how sad would you say this book is?” I told her exactly what I thought (“Plot-wise? At least a nine.”). Beth isn’t normally a sad book kind of girl, but she liked the premise and loved the Pass It On idea. So my Pass It On is this: I wrote a note just inside the front cover, “This book inspired me to reach out to long-lost friends. Pass it On – And leave a note here if you do!” And I passed it on to Beth. She has a teacher/writer friend already in mind to pass it to. I hope that one day, the inside cover and title page will be covered with inspired notes. I may never find out if it is. But I had to try.

Thanks again, Megan, for letting me participate! So excited for next week!

Katy”

Pass It On participant 6, Becky Kyle, Knoxville, TN

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:20:10 +0000

My next Pass It On participant is someone I met four years ago through Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. Becky Kyle is a fellow writer and book reviewer, below she talks about how she passed Never Eighteen on.

“For her debut novel, Never Eighteen, Megan Messina Bostic offered fifty of her friends a unique opportunity to spread the word. She’d send them a free copy of the book with the following request:

• Read it

• Pass it on

• Record how you “passed it on” in photos, video, or words.

You could “pass it on” to someone else you think might want to read it and participate in the campaign. Or, you could “pass it on” by introducing it to your favorite indie bookstore or library, donating it to a high school English teacher, high school librarian, or a teenager you think will like it. You could share it with your book club, leave it at a Starbucks, on a park bench (weather permitting); anywhere you think someone will find it. Be as creative as you wish.

I read Never Eighteen and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It’s a good thing I already have a copy or it’d be hard to part with this book. Here’s the link to my blog review:

Never Eighteen Review

The best books make you consider your own life and make some changes. Partially as a result of Austin, I have rethought my Bucket List. Depression and physical illness caused me to dump the whole thing. Since I’ve read Never Eighteen, I’ve realized there are a whole world of wonderful things to see and do and I shouldn’t miss them. Since then, I’ve seen BB King in concert and had the opportunity to see Modrian’s Trafalgar Square in person.

As the lovely Ellen Mizell says in regard to the painting: “He gave us a good line.”

And who knows–tomorrow may be the day we figure out how to allow me to do some of the items that physical limitations crossed off the list. Miraculous things happen every day.

So you’d think the next part would be easy. Megan really did make it so. I could simply leave my copy of Never Eighteen at my local Starbucks or veterinarian’s waiting room. And yes, I trust in the Universe helping people find what they need at certain times in their lives. Megan’s book certainly is helping me.

Anyone who knows me well knows I’m not good with “easy.” I wanted to send this copy of Never Eighteen where it’d do a lot of good. My lovely friend, Belinda Christ’s, classroom library would have been an excellent choice, but I’ve already ordered a copy for her.

An opportunity came to me at Christmas-time. The St. Michaels High School Library, which is part of the Navajo Indian Reservation, posted their wish list on Amazon for people to donate books. I sent them four of my favorites: Briar Rose, Book of a Thousand Days, All the Weyrs of Pern, and 1984. While I was on vacation after Christmas, I’d spoken to a young Sioux who still has family on Pine Ridge and he told me of the conditions there. Everything’s scarce. I knew St. Michaels had an extensive Wish List, but I wasn’t sure about donations “off the list.” So, I checked with the librarian at St Michaels, Melissa, and this was an appropriate offering.

So, off to my favorite Post Office and (hopefully) my favorite Postal Clerk, CH. Here’s my friendly PO worker posing with the package.

Megan says that due to this project, Never Eighteen has reached three countries. Now, it’s reached a fourth Nation, that of the Diné, which means The People. My hopes that many young Navajos find the book as much of a joy as I have. I may be reporting back.

Melissa advised me that she’d check with her principal to see if sending information about the library, school, and their students would be appropriate. I hope she will be able to tell us more.

Rebecca McFarland Kyle, January 2012″

Pass It On Participant 5, Kimberly Sabatini, Fishkill, NY

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:54:31 +0000

My 5th Pass It On participant lives all the way across the country. It’s another 2k12er Kimberly Sabatini (Touching the Surface, Simon Pulse, Fall 2012).

Here’s how she “Passed It On”

“The Blodgett Memorial Library in Fishkill, NY was just the most thrilled recipient of NEVER EIGHTEEN!!! They loved getting a wonderful book before it has even hit the shelves. Here are some pics of NEVER EIGHTEEN settling into its new home…

My almost eleven year old can’t wait to be old enough to read it!

This is such a fantastic library. So supportive of the Class of 2k12!

Take a virtual tour of Blodgett.

They have a wonderful teen program.

Can you find NEVER EIGHTEEN?

It’s up there with some of the best books in YA!

They were seriously thrilled to get the book!!!!! <3 Everyone was petting it.

Megan-thanks so much for letting me be a part of this-I loved every minute of it!!!!

Kim”

Awesome!! Thanks Kim

Pass It On, Participant Four, James Nelson, St. Louis, MO

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:23:57 +0000

Participant four comes from Missouri. James is a fellow writer I met through the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest a few years back. Here’s how he ‘passed it on’.

“Megan Messina Bostic‘s fantastic new young adult novel–from my hands, it’s travelled to it’s second reader MaryAnn Holmes-Kohenskey, and from there, Christine Benson and on to who know’s where!”

Here’s a photo of James (hopefully) enjoying the book.

Pass It On, Participant Three

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:06:43 +0000

This will be two fold. Katherine Longshore, fellow Class of 2k12er, from sunny California, read my book way back when it was first on NetGalley. She talks about how it inspired her to reach out and rebridge
connections she’d lost along the way. Will update when she “Passes It On”.

Please check out Katherine’s links and info at the

bottom of this post. Her debut Young Adult novel, Gilt, releases in May from Viking.

“I don’t do resolutions — at least I try not to. Number one, they make me feel guilty. And I can generally find enough stuff to feel guilty about without adding more. Number two, any day is a good day to change behaviour and bad habits — not just the first of the year. Or so I keep telling myself.

So instead of my resolutions, I’m going to share with you two confessions. And offer a challenge. Ready?

Confession # 1. I read NEVER EIGHTEEN by my 2k12 Classmate, Megan Bostic, a long time ago. As soon as it appeared on Net Galley, I sent in a request. I love contemporary YA (I know, crazy, because I write historical stuff) and this book had all the elements — love, fear, friendship, tragedy. There’s nothing I like better than being so moved by a novel that I cry. Not only this, but it’s set in the Pacific Northwest, an area I haunted on and off for a year in my 20′s, and still feel an enormous connection with. Reading the book was like revisiting my youth. The confession part is, that I haven’t said a word about it until now. Mostly because if I’d blogged about it back in May, it wouldn’t have that much impact. However, now the book will be out in two weeks (January 17). And I’m hoping it will make a huge impact.

You see, it’s the story of a boy, Austin Parker, who is doing what he can to change the lives of the people he loves. He can’t do much — he doesn’t have time. But he does what he can. He reaches out. And sometimes, this is the most any of us can do.

Which brings us to Confession #2. Until this past holiday season, I hadn’t sent Christmas cards in nine years. Nine years. I have friends in many diverse places. And, unfortunately, I’ve lost touch with many of them (not everyone can be found on Facebook). But I want to be in contact with them. So this past year, I had to try. Thanks to Megan and Austin Parker.

It’s hard to reach out into the void, not knowing if you’re going to connect. I knew I’d lost some people forever. People move. And move on. I’ve already got one letter back — Return to Sender. But I also received a very sweet e-mail from an address in England telling me that the people I sent the letter to had moved. That letter may never have been returned, and it felt good knowing that someone had the decency to let me know that I had it wrong. So I could start another search.

Megan has kindly allowed me to participate in her Project Pass It On. Not only is this a way to get the word out on her book, it’s also a way to encourage readers to connect with others. Check out the web page. It’s wonderful. And think of ways you can connect.

Now I just need to find the perfect place to pass my copy on.”

Find Katherine on her:

Class of 2k12 book description and bio.

Pass It On, Participant Two

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:06:25 +0000

I received word from participant number two, Brian Johnson of West Liberty, KY. He’s a poet and friend I met through Youtube

He tweeted about ‘passing on’ Never Eighteen.

“At Coffeetree books telling them they should buy Megan Bostic’s book!”

He also attached a picture, which you see below.

I thank Brian for participating in the project.

I received word from participant number two, Brian Johnson of West Liberty, KY. He’s a poet and friend I met through Youtube.

Project Pass It On, Participant One

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:55:32 +0000

I just received word from my first Pass It On participant, Melissa Cunningham from Fairview Heights, IL. (No stalking please). This lovely woman is a Facebook friend and artist (Click here for her artist page on Facebook), and is the first to respond, so I thought I’d share.

Here’s what she said:

“Megan,

Loved your book! I couldn’t put it down last night and had to finish it. My husband is going to wait until our copy arrives to read it – he said that we should pass it on now, to get the word out before it is released… So I went to my favorite coffee shop this morning and I was going to leave there. I had a change of plans when I ran into an acquaintance of mine. He is a high school English teacher. I gave it to him.

I created a bookmark to go inside of the book, explaining the idea of getting the word out and passing the book on. While I was drinking my coffee with a group of friends, I watched him read your book. His eyes filled with tears as he turned the last few pages. He put the book mark in the book and set it on an empty table. Then he got up and called his brother.

A few minutes later another patron picked up the book, read the note on the bookmark and began reading! I wish you the best of luck! Happy Holidays and I look forward to January, when my personal copy arrives!”

I want to thank Melissa for participating in Project: Pass it On I can’t wait for the others to come in so I can share.

Never Eighteen Project Pass It On

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:39:53 +0000

I’ve been working with a publicist on a marketing campaign to get the word out about my book. We decided to try a grassroots campaign. Project: Pass It On. Kind of a “pay it forward” if you will.

I chose some folks I knew from around the country; friends, writers, Facebook friends, family, and asked them to participate. My publicist sent a free copy of Never Eighteen to each of them (some of them are still en route). In return, we asked them to:

Read it
Pass it on
Record how they “passed it on” in photos, video, or words.

I told them they could “pass it on” by introducing it to their favorite indie bookstore or library, donating it to a high school English teacher, high school librarian, or a teenager. I told them they could share it with their book club, leave it at a Starbucks, on a park bench; anywhere they thought someone would find it. I told them they could be as creative as they wished.

Here is where I will record their efforts in my campaign. I appreciate all those who offered to and are participating in my “Pass It On” campaign.

Megan